I absolutely love the game, though it's not for everybody. I was slightly disappointed at first, but it's truly grown on me, and is now one of my favourite games in the series.

Jehuty:

Vaan doesn't really get any more interesting. Him and Penelo are probably the weakest aspects of the game because it's true that they don't have much character. Vaan's story kind of develops when you get to the Land of the Garif, but he goes back to tagging along and being a rather pointless character after that.

As for the environments, you do get some more variety shortly after the part you're at. You'll see some grasslands, mountains and a couple forests shortly.

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